Democrats Remain Skeptical of Judicial Remapping

Democrats in the North Carolina General Assembly remain suspicious about an effort by Republicans to redraw election districts for trial court judges and local prosecutors.

A special House panel examining judicial redistricting met for the first time Tuesday, with a goal of passing proposed boundaries in time for the full chamber to consider them when the legislature reconvenes in early October.

The panel chairman — GOP Rep. Justin Burr — rolled out proposed maps in June and says he's spent the summer meeting with judicial officials across the state to get feedback. He says initial maps could be updated in response.

Some committee Democrats questioned how the maps were drawn and whether past election results were considered in making them. Another said the maps also could hurt some black judges.